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Idioms

Phrases

Proverbs

Loan words

Historical loan words

kumu

1. (verb) (-a,-ngia,-tia) to carry in the closed hand.

Kumutia mai ngā hēki ki roto i ōu ringaringa, e hine. / Carry the eggs in your hands, my girl.

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2. (verb) (-a) to hold (the breath).

Kumua tōu manawa (W 1971:156). / Hold your breath, please.

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3. (verb) (-a,-ngia,-tia) to clench, close.

I te kumu ngā meke, ā, kōmā ana ngā monamona i mua i te tauronarona (Ng 1993:248). / Fists were clenched, and knuckles showed white before the tug of war.

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4. (noun) anus, posterior, buttocks, bum, backside, tail (of a bird).

Ka karanga tētahi o rātou kia kaua e mataku. Kā kī atu taua Pākehā i mate e kore ia e pai kia tae atu te hāona o te kau ki tōna kumu (TWM 23/7/1864:2). / One of them called that he should not be afraid. That Pākehā who was in trouble replied that he did not want the cow's horn to contact his backside.

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Synonyms: papaihore, miki, nono, whero, tāreperepe, tou, remu

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